Shortlisting bschools

Question

Hello,
I'm currently and undergraduate and would be joining my full time job as a software engineer in the summer of '21. I plan on taking the GMAT after 12-18 months and then apply for bschools after 30-36 months. But, right now I'm in a dilemma of shortlisting a bschools. A little background about me. I'm from India and I'm pursuing my bachelor's degree in computer science from a tier one engineering college. I'm from a middle class family so the cost of MBA is of utmost importance to me.

Coming to the GMAT, as I'm good with mathematics and I've taken the diagnostic test, I score around Q47 ans V35 with little to no preparation. So I will put in 2-3 months of preparation and can score around Q49-50 and V40-42. This could land me close to 720s. So I just want suggestions on what bschools should I consider applying too, keeping in mind the cost and also after MBA, I plan entering the tech industry. Also, I don't want to pursue MBA from Indian Bschools as I'm looking for good exposure. Please suggest.

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HqLife · Answer

This is like asking, which car should I buy? 
An American, German, Japanese, etc... do I want a sedan or suv? An electric, hybrid, petrol? Automatic or manual? Moonroof or no?

Based on the information you have provided, no one can give an exact answer. 
Like what are your qualification? Is your company a start-up or a well established? Where do you want to work after MBA? What kind of teaching do you like (traditional, case method, etc...). You want to enter tech industry, so what is your plan b? C? How good will your recommenders be (given you haven't started your job, no way to tell). What do you want to focus at your MBA school?

A lot of these questions will need to be answered before someone can suggest.

Also, have you considered 2+2 programs? Might be a bit late to apply now since you are already graduating.

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Darkfrost · Answer

Sorry for being vague, it was my first post, so I didn't know what to include exactly. Thank you for your reply. Here is some more info.

My company is a well established company. About my qualifications, I have had an internship at Citi Corp and at 2 other Startups. I'm also a convenor of a club at my college and have been an internship coordinator at the career development center of my college.

I want to work in the tech roles at FAANG or similar companies. I mostly like case based teaching although my entire undergraduate teaching was traditional so its not a deal-breaker for me. My plan B would be IB and plan C consultancy at an MNC. As for the geography, I'm fine working in any country although I would prefer US or Canada over Europe.

I'm really good with people, but yeah I cannot say how good my recommenders will be, although my college alumni are studying MS at Upenn and cmu, and they're really close to me, so that's an option too.

I haven't really planned on what I have to focus on in my MBA but yea, once I start working, I hope it'll be clear based on the goals that I have to achieve.

I do not want to consider anything other than the traditional MBA( mostly spans around 16-20 months)

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HqLife · Answer

For starters - you can take a look at the "What are my Chances Tool". This will give an idea where you stand.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/what-are-my-chances-profile-evaluation-tool-309854.html

2+2 programs are traditional MBA programs. Majority of individuals complete their Bachelors -> Start Working -> GMAT -> Apply to B-School -> Attend B-School. 
In 2+2 program individuals in their "Final" year of college (seniors) Study for GMAT -> Apply to B-School -> Start working -> Have guaranteed entry to B-school. 
Only difference is the application process happens during college and it can be competitive. At this point you are probably late to apply as you are already graduating.

As an Indian - Engineering Applicant, you will fall in the overrepresented category. Which means that from the below page, your GMAT should be +20/30 point over the schools average. That does not go to say that 720 won't get you in any school, it can, but it will be easier with a higher score.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/which-schools-should-i-apply-to-selectivity-analysis-of-t25-schools-343821.html

Schools are put in categories, such as: HSW (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton), M7 (HSW + Columbia, MIT, Kellogg, Booth), T10 (M7 + Haas + Stern + Fuqua/Tuck/Yale), T15 (T10 + Darden/Ross/Cornell/UCLA). Anything outside of T15 will be a regional school in the U.S. So even though you can get job in another region, it will be hard to do so. In this way you want to take your GMAT - compare it against the above link and see which schools you are at/above the average. Booth/Wharton are finance schools, Johnson/NYU place well in IB, Kellogg is known for marketing, Darden for Strategy, Stanford/Haas/UCLA/Marshall will get you really close to Silicon Valley and the tech jobs there.

I don't know much about Canadian schools, but have often heard about McGill, Rotman, Desautels.

European Schools - LBS/INSEAD in their own category, IESE/HEC-Paris, Said/Judge (Which are new B-schools but Oxford and Cambridge carry their weight).

You are just about to graduate and usually 4-6 years of experience is required at matriculation. As you fall in the over-represented category, study as much as possible for GMAT first and then revisit.

Darkfrost · Answer

Thank you, that clarifies a lot. The quote of 720 marks was the minimum threshold, I can definitely try for 750-760. But my concern is money, I don't think I'll be able to afford the amount without any scholarship, so any suggestions on where I could get the most scholarship?

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ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hi  Darkfrost ,

If you are looking for scholarships, the USA would be the most ideal geography for you.

With regard to the correct approach for shortlisting schools, we thought this short video would be relevant:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TeXqf0vPlw

Should you have any follow up questions, do let us know.

Thanks.

Shortlisting bschools

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